A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5345

The instant the guard cried out, the remaining two spun on their heels, their spears carving twin arcs through the humid forest air as they rushed to help.

Flaxseed flicked his wrist with practiced nonchalance. A Binding Charm snapped open, its inked glyphs burning gold before lashing outward like living rope. The nearest guard was yanked mid-stride, limbs cinched tight. Beside him, Jared swept his blade in a low, savage crescent, the shockwave forcing the second Celestial Guard to stagger backward, boots skidding through dead leaves.

Seizing that heartbeat of vulnerability, the young lady let fire bloom at her fingertips. A flare of molten gold slammed into the trussed Celestial Guard's breastplate. Metal shrieked, blood sprayed, and he toppled.

“Who are you people?” the leader of the Celestial Guards snarled, teeth bared in panic. “Do you dare meddle in matters of Celestia?”

“Leave,” Jared said, each syllable dropping like ice. “Follow us again and you die.”

Golden fire bled across Jared's shoulders, a silent corona of power that pressed down on the clearing. The Celestial Guard's face drained of color. Without another word, he hauled his injured comrades and fled into the trees, armor clattering in frantic retreat.

When the echoes faded, only Jared, Flaxseed, and the female celestial remained among the trampled ferns and smoldering leaves.

The woman folded her divine power back into herself, jade eyes sweeping over the men. There was no gratitude in that gaze—only highborn wariness, and a pride as sharp as honed steel.

She dabbed fresh blood from her shoulder with two fingers, turned, and started for the shadow-choked depths of the forest without offering so much as a nod.

“Hey!” Flaxseed called after her, voice half-teasing, half-indignant. “We just risked our necks for you. If you're not planning to warm my bed in thanks, a simple 'thank you' would do!”

She paused, a single heel grinding into moss as she looked back. “Human cultivators, do not presume that saving me grants you the right to command me. Had my strength not been depleted, those three weaklings would have fallen in moments,” she said, her voice cold.

With that, she slipped between the trees. A heartbeat later, even the echo of her presence was gone.

Flaxseed stood gaping at the empty trail, beard bristling, fury sputtering like wet firewood. “What in the blazes? Are all celestials this arrogant? I ought to drag her back and teach her the meaning of courtesy!”

Jared only sighed and shook his head. “Let it go. Celestials are prideful. Still, she let slip something useful. Celestia plans to ally with Celestial Palace's Sixth Hall and marry her off to Enaricus' son. That changes things.”

“An alliance?” Flaxseed's brow bunched. “Celestia is against Celestial Palace, no? Why team up now?”

The priests exchanged a knowing glance. “So you are Jared. Please—follow us immediately.”

Jared's curiosity flickered. “You already know my name?”

“Abbot Infinides instructed us that if a man called Jared ever arrived, he was to be brought straight to him—without delay,” one of the priests said.

Jared had not imagined that Infinides would predict his every move—much less foresee that he would climb all the way to Roaring Storm Church in search of him.

Guided by the priest, Jared and Flaxseed followed a winding trail that sliced upward through ancient pines. Resinous needles whispered overhead, and each breath carried the scent of sandalwood and celestial energy.

After roughly an hour, the path straightened before a pair of towering gates. Carved from dark rosewood and inked with age, the doors bore the name of the place.

On either side, stone lions crouched, emanating the aura to suppress evil.